Two Teens Accused of Murdering 13 Month-Old Baby Will Be Tried as Adults

According to USA Today, the two Georgia teens accused of killing 13-month old Antonio Santiago and shooting his mother in the leg will be tried as adults.

The baby’s mother Sherry West says she was pushing her baby in a stroller when 17-year-old De’Marquise Elkins and 15-year-old Dominique Lang approached her demanding money. When she did not comply, Elkins pulled out a gun and shot West in the arm and her baby in the face.

Elkins is also being charged with a robbery and shooting that occurred 10 days prior to the slaying of Santiago.

District Attorney Jackie Johnson of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit said in a statement Thursday she would not seek the death penalty against either suspect because Georgia law doesn’t allow capital punishment for defendants charged with crimes committed before they were 18. Both teens are charged as adults.

Elkins is now also charged with a second attempted robbery and shooting that happened 10 days before the baby was slain. On March 11, according to the indictment, Elkins tried to rob a person identified as Wilfredo Calix-Flores, pointing a gun at him while demanding his cellphone and wallet. Elkins shot Calix-Flores in the arm with the same caliber revolver used to kill the baby 10 days later, the indictment says. He is charged with attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Three of Elkins relatives are also being charged with crimes. They are accused of helping him after the murder.

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